Rahane century puts India 1-0 ahead

Rahane, who did not play a match for India in the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this month, struck 103 to guide India to a 105-run victory. After rain in the morning, the match was reduced to a 43-over contest but it did not affect the visitors. Behind Rahane’s century and half centuries from Shikhar Dhawan (63) and captain Virat Kohli (87), India posted a massive 310 for five.

In reply, West Indies never recovered after losing early wickets and limped to 205/6 in 43 overs.

Rahane and Dhawan, for the second time in the series, got India off to an excellent start putting on 114 for the first wicket.

In the first match that ended in a no result because of rain, the pair put on 132.

India raced to 100 inside 17 overs with left-handed Dhawan the aggressor. Ashley Nurse, who had a solid series against Pakistan earlier this year, got the breakthrough when Dhawan was stumped for 63 by Shai Hope.

Dhawan’s 59-ball knock included 10 fours.

After Kohli joined Rahane, the latter brought up his 18th ODI fifty with a four down to third man.

The fall of Dhawan did not stop India’s progress as Rahane struck leg spinner Devendra Bishoo for two fours in the same over. The second four was a well timed shot through the covers.

Rahane was brutal against all the West Indies bowlers with fast bowler Miguel Cummins also punished. The diminutive right hander pulled Cummins for a six through mid wicket followed by a leg side four.

India were brilliant at rotating the strike on the day, scoring more than 100 singles.

Shortly after India got to 200, Rahane brought up his century with a four through covers off Cummins. Rahane seemed to have his sights on a huge total as his celebration on reaching the milestone was subdued.

However, he did not last much longer as he was bowled by Cummins for 103. His knock lasted 104 deliveries and comprised 10 fours and two sixes.

When Hardik Pandya came to the middle Kohli took over the scoring. The Indian captain struck fast bowler Alzarri Joseph for a six over cover as he approached his fifty.

Pandya, who played a top innings in the finals of the Champions Trophy, was promoted up the order.

Unfortunately the plan did not work as Pandya swung hard at a delivery from Joseph and Cummins took a good catch running in from third man as India were reduced to 223/3.

India got 80 runs in the last seven overs with Kohli leading the charge with brilliant stroke play. Yuvraj Singh played with his usual flair, but he found the edge for 14 chasing a wide delivery off Holder.

Kohli could not bring up his century, caught by Nurse at long on for 87 off Joseph.

Kedar Jadhav and Mahendra Singh Dhoni both finished unbeaten on 13 to take India to the close.

West Indies captain Jason Holder was a huge disappointment, bowling four no balls in the innings, including three in the 22-run final over. Joseph finished with 2/73 in eight overs for West Indies. In reply, West Indies were quickly reduced to 4/2 as Kieran Powell and Jason Mohammed both fell for duck. Shai Hope and Evin Lewis, batting at number four because he spent some time off the field tried to restore the innings.

Hope played positively while Lewis was cautious. Hope utilised the sweep to good effect during his knock as West Indies got to 50/2 after 14 overs. With the run rate now over nine, Lewis broke the shackles with a four through cover off spinner Ravi Ashwin.

Spinner Kuldeep Yadav was the only Indian bowler who struggled to contain the West Indies batsmen at the start. Hope and Lewis both swept Yadav for four in the same over.

After bringing up his 50, Hope continued to play with confidence hitting both Ashwin and Yadav for sixes over mid wicket.

Lewis was then stumped for 21 off Yadav to end the 89-run partnership. The same shot that brought Hope so much success during his innings led to his demise.

Attempting a sweep he was out leg before for 81 off 88 balls with five fours and three sixes.

The score now read 112/4 after 25.3 overs leaving the remaining batsmen with a tough task. Holder (29) and Roston Chase (33 not out) entertained for a while, but West Indies could only muster 205/6 in 43 overs.